Introduction

Yesterday when I wrote a simple Win32 dialog application, I missed one handy feature that is implemented in .NET forms; anchors and docking for controls. I took a look at the CodeProject, but I did not find exactly what I was looking for, so I wrote a simple solution for myself. I put it here with hope that it will be useful for some other programmers. This solution has two advantages. First is that, you can use this simple class in MFC and non-MFC applications too. Second is that you can use add/remove for dynamically created controls during running application.

Using the code

First of all, if you want to use this class in your application, you must include this header file:

#include "anchor.h"
CDlgAnchor dlgAnchor;
CDlgMan dlgMan;

In WM_INITDIALOG handler routine or OnInitDialog (MFC applications), you must initialize this class:

Now you can set anchors and/or docking for the controls you want from the list in the header file. You can use add/remove controls during the life of the dialog window as you will need, e.g. you can use Add function for dynamically created controls.

Lastly you will need to add to the WM_SIZE handler routine, code that will execute the OnSize class routine, and add to the WM_DESTROY handler routine, code that will save window position and size.

case WM_SIZE:
dlgAnchor.OnSize();
...

case WM_DESTROY:
dlgMan.Save();
...

That's all. I hope, you find this class useful.

History

19 September 2003

Added Update and UpdateAll functions that you may use if some other dialog handler (like Splitter) will change size of controls.

Added helper class CDlgMan (saving/restoring window position and position of all child windows).

11 September 2003

First release.

License

This article has no explicit license attached to it but may contain usage terms in the article text or the download files themselves. If in doubt please contact the author via the discussion board below.